Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Start your free trial
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! summary
Luke Sullivan
Sam Bennett
The Classic Guide to Creating Great Ads
15 mins
Brief summary
'Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!' by Luke Sullivan and Sam Bennett is a guide to modern advertising. It provides insight into the creative process, tips for producing effective ads, and advice for handling clients.
Topics
Table of Contents
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!
Summary of 7 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 7
To get started in advertising, you need an exceptional portfolio.
Many years ago, a few good ideas and a passion for the business were enough to get you hired by an agency. Today, it’s a different story. The industry has become so popular that you’d better have an outstanding portfolio, or book, if you want to get your big break.
Your book is both your job application and your talent, and should set you apart from the crowd. This is vital, as the competition for ad jobs grows more intense every day, as more and more students complete advertising degrees with highly polished books. But you don’t have to go to ad school to create an outstanding book.
You need just eight or nine hypothetical campaigns that have been worked to an excellent standard. How do you do this? By concentrating on campaigns based on good ideas. Agencies aren’t impressed with a good finished ad – they’re much more interested in ideas that reflect unique talent.
Here’s an example. A famous Nike ad shows Michael Jordan jumping and scoring, with the line “Michael Jordan: 1. Isaac Newton: 0.” This ad could be in its earliest stage, even crudely hand drawn, and the brilliant idea would still shine through.
But where do great ideas come from? Begin by developing ideas around products that you like and use. Then take a look at old, award-winning ads. Why did they work, what was their secret? After analyzing them, return to developing your own ideas, but this time choose products that you’d never use yourself.
For example, if you’re a guy, consider ideas for bridal magazines, or if you’re a girl, develop ads for jock straps. This will show agencies that you can apply your talents in more than one field.
Want to see all full key ideas from Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
Key ideas in Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! about?
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! has become a seminal guide to the world of advertising for those who have been in the business for decades, for newcomers, and for anybody intrigued by what happens when creativity meets commerce. The title is an irreverent nod to an unconventional 1970s campaign for Charmin toilet paper that featured an annoying shop clerk called Mr Whipple, who couldn’t stop squeezing the product. It sets the tone for Sullivan’s honest and practical insights into the sometimes crazy creative process of advertising.
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! Review
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! (1998) is a captivating book that reveals the secrets behind creating amazing advertising campaigns. Here's why this book is definitely worth reading:
- It provides insightful tips and techniques that help readers develop effective advertising strategies and create memorable campaigns.
- Packed with real-world examples and case studies, the book offers a practical and relevant understanding of the advertising industry.
- With its engaging storytelling and witty writing, the book keeps readers entertained while imparting valuable knowledge about the world of advertising.
Best quote from Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!
A book full of cool ads doesnt guarantee you a great job. A book full of brilliant thinking does.
—Luke Sullivan with Sam Bennett
Who should read Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
- Anyone working in advertising or marketing
- Anyone interested in how ads work
- Anyone who watches too much Mad Men
Categories with Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!
Book summaries like Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
33 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! FAQs
What is the main message of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
The main message of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! is that creativity and powerful ideas are essential for successful advertising campaigns.
How long does it take to read Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
The reading time for Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! varies depending on the reader, but it typically takes several hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in about 15 minutes.
Is Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! a good book? Is it worth reading?
Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! is a must-read for anyone interested in advertising and creativity. It offers valuable insights and practical advice to improve your advertising skills.
Who is the author of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
The authors of Hey Whipple, Squeeze This! are Luke Sullivan and Sam Bennett.
What to read after Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!?
If you're wondering what to read next after Hey Whipple, Squeeze This!, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Truth, Lies and Advertising by Jon Steel
- The 12 Traits of the Greats by Dave Martin
- Psychological Types by Carl Jung
- Purple Cow by Seth Godin
- Seculosity by David Zahl
- The New Front Page by Tim Dunlop
- The Art of War (new version) by Sun Tzu
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- I Respectfully Disagree by Justin Jones-Fosu
- Mindset by Carol Dweck